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Prospect Heston DFA'd in flurry of roster moves

Prospect Heston DFA'd in flurry of roster moves

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By Chris Haft
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MLB.com |

SAN DIEGO -- Among the flurry of roster moves the Giants made Saturday to accommodate outfielder Jeff Francoeur and right-hander Santiago Casilla, one prompted surprise: Right-hander Chris Heston being designated for assignment.

The Giants needed to remove a player from the 40-man roster to create space for Francoeur, who signed a Minor League contract last Tuesday. That player was Heston, who's ranked eighth on MLB.com's list of Giants prospects.

Heston won ERA titles in 2011 with Class A San Jose and last year with Double-A Richmond while posting an aggregate 21-12 record. He displayed admirable command during that span, striking out 266 and walking 80. This year, however, Heston has struggled with Triple-A Fresno, posting a 7-6 record with a 5.80 ERA, 97 strikeouts and 46 walks in 108 2/3 innings. His WHIP is an inflated 1.61.

When the Giants needed to summon a starter from the Minors to replace injured right-hander Ryan Vogelsong, they selected left-hander Mike Kickham, not Heston.

A closer look at the non-Major Leaguers on the 40-man roster indicated that Heston was the most logical choice to place in limbo -- players designated for assignment have 10 days to wait for a trade, be released, or clear waivers to sign as a free agent.

"That's a good problem to have," Giants vice president and assistant general manager Bobby Evans said. "You don't have easy choices."